Biography

Kenneth Kerslake was born March 8, 1930 in Mount Vernon, NY. Kenneth became seriously interested in art in high school. In 1950, he attended Pratt Institute in New York City, where he began his formal study of art. Following the advice of his professors, Kenneth transferred to the University of Illinois in 1953 and discovered his medium: printmaking. He continued at the University of Illinois and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in fine arts. Kenneth loved working with young, fresh minds, and after graduating, he spent 38 years teaching at the University of Florida.

Kenneth was the founder of UF's Printmaking Program and was honored as a Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus. His works have been featured in dozens of exhibitions and public collections, including the Brooklyn Museum of Art, The Library of Congress and the National Collection, the Yale University Art Gallery and the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art. Kenneth received numerous honors and awards, including the Joseph Pennell Fund Selection Committee Purchase Award, Distinguished Faculty Awards and Teacher of the Year for the College of the Arts. Kenneth passed away on January 7, 2007.